For over 50 years, the Long Branch Variety Show has been delighting audiences every summer. What started in 1958 as weekend entertainment over the 4th of July has turned into a seven-night-a-week summer production at Boot Hill Museum. Doug Austen, the current Long Branch Variety Show director, compiled a book featuring pictures of the show throughout the years plus the story of how it all began under the direction of Lewis & Rosemary Mock. “Down at the Long Branch Saloon” a pictorial history of the Long Branch Variety Show will be introduced on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Boot Hill Museum. The book launch will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 pm in the Long Branch Saloon. A special invitation is extended to all current and former Long Branch Variety Show cast members. Rosemary Mock will be the honored guest at the reception. A selection of Long Branch Variety Show memorabilia will be on display in the Long Branch Saloon. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Cost of the book is $35.00 For more information please contact Boot Hill Museum at 620.227.8188.
Boot Hill Museum & Front Street
Live the Legend of the West
I am looking forward to the release of this book. I worked at Boot Hill from 1972 through 1974 when Mr. George Henrichs was executive director and Nellis Reinert played Miss Kitty. I had the best time there and loved all the people I worked with. It was a time in my life I will never forget. I miss Dodge City, my home!
Stephen Black
Vancouver, Washington
I really enjoyed meeting Rosemary Mock, the original “Miss Kitty!” She was so personable and “smiley!” It was wonderful to see all of the memorabilia, pictures, and past “Kitties…” I look forward to being part of the Longbranch Show this summer….terrific job everyone on the event!
Can’t wait for the book! It’s long overdue! I worked at Boot Hill from 1965 to 1967 but played around Boot Hill when I was a young kid as I lived close by! I worked there when Rosie Mock was Miss Kitty. The Best One as far as I am concerned! It’s hard to beat an original! Even though I live in Texas I still consider Dodge City my home and always will! I had the most fun working there than any other place I have ever worked!
I worked at Boot Hill from 1963 to 1968, but the LBSV Show until ???? I had the great pleasure of working the show (and gunfight) when Rosie was Miss Kitty, then Nellis Reinert (I mostly played drums during the Nellis/Kitty years, and I was in love with her :-). I miss George (always Mr. Henrichs) immensely; I owe much of my business success to lessons learned from him. I learned how to play piano from begging Doc Mock to hang around after the show and play for me while I cleaned the saloon; he said “Noggie, music is all just math,” but somehow it sure didn’t sound that way to me when he played. I learned to stand up before an audience by watching the way Rosie took control of her audience. Mostly, I learned to just plain have fun at all these things from all of the wonderful people I worked with at Boot Hill including my wife of 41 years, Cheryl.